In general, dogs enjoy chasing people, particularly their owners. Have you ever witnessed how your dog will follow you all around yard while you walk or sprint, with ear fluttering, tongues waddling, and tails swinging, and then he will exhibit no signs of letting up the chase? He would continue to pursue you until you were exhausted, and even then, he would want to continue. What exactly is it about chasing people that dogs find so appealing?
WHY DO DOGS CHASE YOU WHEN YOU RUN?
All dogs have the inherent desire to chase much of anything found fascinating. However, dogs that chase their owners do so because they believe them and regard them as role models. In a similar vein, if your dog notices you are sprinting, they usually assume something entertaining may be the reason and they wouldn't want to overlook the excitement. Dogs can also chase persons not necessarily their owners. If a dog notices a stranger mostly in their vicinity and the stranger fled away when they made eye contact, the dog may chase the stranger to protect the property or the confidentiality of owners.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
SMART
Smart, my German Shepherd dog always loves to run around the compound especially when I decide to go out while is unleashed; I would almost have believed I’ve successfully dodged him, suddenly I will just see Smart running towards me from afar off, those moments do catch me by surprise. Also, many times whilst I and my friends are having our weekend soccer trainings on the field, Smart always loves to go out so I dare not take him along and fortunately, he’s lovable around the team. As the whole team runs to warm up, Smart always do likewise, he literally does everything we do on the field from running to jogging to acrobatics. I decided to channel his skills for running positively by making sure Smart have a pitch of his own on weekends too where we practice running, fetching, hide and seek and for 2 consecutive years, Smart has been winning the Dog fair show in my city with silver and gold medals respectively.
WHY DO DOGS CHASE YOU WHEN YOU RUN?
OWNERS
Your dog looks to you for leadership and inspiration, so when he chases after you, he is simply acting on his innate inclination to play as a team and go ahead. In addition, they find it curious. They will pursue where you go because of their unwavering commitment. Running is a dog's favourite activity. You can tell just how they truly enjoy it by watching them do it. He'll follow you if he spots you doing it because he can't let himself pass out on the enjoyment of doing one of his best hobbies. When they watch you all happy, dogs assume something spectacular is about to transpire and they don’t wish to be missing out. No matter where you go, they will follow you unless you both gets to destination or stops.
STRANGERS
How about if your dog is pursuing someone else?
If someone else entered your private land and your dog alerted them to his presence by growling, and the intruder ran, the dog will chase the person. Your dog, just practising what he does effectively, which is protecting both his happy owner, and his own territory, by chasing after that intruder. Although you are aware that your property and lawn are yours, your dog may not agree. He views it as being entirely his. Dogs have different convictions over who could and couldn't be around their vicinity, which occasionally can be advantageous. Dogs have an innate sense of humans, and they frequently develop dislikes for no apparent reason. similarly, to how we do. A dog seems to have no societal tendency to do that and, provided with the right circumstances, will purposefully chase away the individual they despise.
ENGAGING THE ACTIVITY
SPORTS FOR DOGS THAT ENJOY RUNNING
Rather than suppressing your dog's innate urge to explore, try using it in exercises and activities, such as:
- Fetch: Your dog could use its biological inclination to chase toys or other devices.
- Tugs: Playing tugs is a terrific technique to educate and practise impulsive behaviour in canines that enjoy chasing. It's also a fun hobby for dogs that need psychosomatic fitness.
- Tags: Training your dog to pursue you inside your home or in a secure yard could be an entertaining pastime as many dogs take pleasure in. With a food or toys in your grasp, begin to retreat from your dog to begin the sport. Summon your dog enthusiastically and upbeat using a conventional "go" command or perhaps the dog's names. In contrast to a conventional call, in which you could desire your dog to immediately approach your sides or stand beside you, a session of tags has no set requirements, therefore it's preferable to maintain everything informal. Compliment, provide treats as reward is a good point here.
- Hide and Seek: Out of a different area in the building, shout your dog 's names. Reward your dog with plenty of praises and treats when they run to locate you. Start out by practicing this sport in a secure, distraction-free setting.
HOW TO RESTRAIN DOGS FROM PURSUING
Your dog should just not pursue individuals, regardless if you are certain that he is loving and will never attack anybody. It's important to stop your dog from running after persons who are walking or jogging, children who are riding bikes, the postmaster, or garbage men. If your dog chases someone and they get hurt, this could distress the youths, annoy the neighbourhood, and get you into legal trouble. Participating in a few appointments with a qualified dog coach could assist you in ensuring that your dog only pursues after the necessary activities.
ENDING WORDS
Dogs enjoy pursuing objects. It is a component of their earliest nature. When they are sprinting towards anything with their heads towards the breeze and paw moving as rapidly as feasible, dogs are never cheerful as this. Simply ensuring that they pursue the appropriate goals is all that is required. You might be the culprit, or it might be a game or an invader.
Dr Marvelous Ibiniyi, DVM
A pet enthusiast and young veterinarian in the making, who loves writing and giving educative information about pets especially dogs and cats. Dr Marvelous has a German Shepherd dog named Smart and likewise a Persian cat named Rolex.